How to Achieve Forgiveness

We learn a great deal from the manner in which Moshe Rabbeinu prayed for Hashem’s forgiveness.

There were three major components to his approaching Hashem. The first is called זכות אבות. Moshe mentions the merits of the Patriarchs and the promise that their children would live forever. The second component is the idea of חילול ה׳. Moshe tells Hashem that if He punishes the Jewish people, His name will be desecrated and He will look weak in the eyes of the nations.

And the final important measure is the power of the י”ג מידות, the Thirteen Attributes of G-d. Hashem actually teaches Moshe that the recitation of these attributes, have the power to change harsh judgement into mercy.

So the combination of זכות אבות, קידוש ה׳, and the י”ג מידות, all have the power to bring about forgiveness.